Cup of Coffee: Jimenez leads way as FCL Sox stay tied atop division

7/23 Cup of Coffee: The race in the Florida Complex League is coming down to the wire, and Frederik Jimenez (pictured) led the offense to keep the Sox in a tie for first place in the post-Arias era. The DSL squads were in action as well, but both saw their contests suspended by rain.

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Entering Monday's contest, the FCL Sox were locked in a three-way tie for first place in the South Division and a four-way tie for the wild card with only three games left to play. One rain-shortened victory later, the standings haven't budged. It was announced in the morning that scorching-hot shortstop Franklin Arias was being promoted to Salem, but Frederik Jimenez took on the offensive load in his stead. Jimenez started off the scoring with a solo home run in the second inning and then ripped doubles in his other two at-bats. Stijn Van Der Schaaf worked around some wobbly control to go four scoreless innings, surrendering just two hits while he struck out one, walked four, and hit a batter. Diego Hernandez walked a pair in a scoreless fifth and was credited with the win when the game was called for rain before the sixth inning. 

Unfortunately, the Sox did not get any of the help that they needed. The Pirates and Rays both prevailed, keeping a three-way tie atop the South Division. The FCL Tigers also won in their evening contest, making it a four-way tie atop the wild card race. The Sox and Braves will finish the regular  season with a pair of head-to-head contests on Tuesday and Thursday.

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Team Red will have to wait another day to try to extend their eight-game winning streak, as Monday's contest was suspended in the sixth inning due to rain. Before the weather, Jose Martinez went four shutout frames, scattering two hits and striking out six without walking a batter. Juan Henriquez had gotten through 1 2/3 innings of shutout relief at the time of the suspension. Avinson Pinto had a double and a walk at the plate. 

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The Blue squad also saw its contest suspended just three outs before an official game. Moises Bolivar was leading the offense, going 2 for 3 with a triple, two RBI, and two runs scored. Moises Semerite delivered his first professional home run in the third, just an inning after entering the game as a substitution for top international class signee Vladimir Asencio. Yoelvin Chirino had thrown all four innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits, striking out four against two walks. 

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Player of the Day: After an outstanding June, Frederik Jimenez had slumped recently, going just 1 for 13 in his last four. He broke out of the skid at the perfect time, leading a depleted FCL Red Sox roster in a game vital to their playoff hopes. Jimenez now boasts an even .500 slugging percentage, third on the team overall and tops on the active roster that has seen the promotions of Yoeilin Cespedes and Franklin Arias.